Mold was a big issue the summer I moved into the building, and still is now. I'm reposting some information below that first appeared on the first blog about Kenmore Hall. About Toxic Mold Learn the truth about toxic mold, symptoms of toxic mold syndrome, how to protect your home and family, and how to test for mycotoxin. Mold is a microscopic organism or fungi that grow in damp environments. There are about 200,000 harmless types of mold; they pose no threat to our health. It’s a good thing most mold is harmless because it is quite omnipresent. It can be found in soil, in the air, and wherever there is moisture, oxygen, and some organic matter. You'll find mold in gardens, on some grasses and weeds, on grains like corn and wheat; it especially likes moist, shady areas. Mold can also be found indoors, in your home or work place. There are four environmental factors that must exist in order for mold to thrive. If you remove any of these items, mold would not be able to survive. Those four factors are: Mold Spores that are circulating in the environment - This is not a problem, since mold spores are literally everywhere they would be impossible to eliminate Food - mold is not finicky! Virtually any substance that is a carbon based organic material will provide sustenance for mold Temperature - mold likes to live in the same temperatures that people like, so our homes will usually provide a very cozy place for mold to “start a family!” Moisture - mold likes it wet. A humidity level of about 70% is required for most molds to grow. Since people usually live in environments that have less humidity, moisture is the one factor (out of the four) that is the easiest to control Toxic Mold in the News So why is mold in the news with stories of exorbitant litigation, serious respiratory illness, asthma, cancer, and the contamination of buildings so damaged they required extensive mold remediation or demolition? A handful of mold types are dangerous and they present a serious health threat if they take hold and multiply in your home. This type of mold is referred to as toxic mold or toxic black mold, and when it multiplies, it sends dangerous spores called mycotoxins into your living environment. These mycotoxins interfere with cell and DNA function, resulting in serious health problems. Official names of these mycotoxins include: trichothecenes, beta glucans, nitric oxides, and aflatoxins. A few of the most dangerous molds are named: stachybotrys mold or black mold, penicillium, and aspergillus; and they have been associated with respiratory illness, skin rashes, memory problems, and brain damage. Diseases are also associated with toxic mold exposure: kidney cancer, esophagus cancer, leukemia, and liver cancer. Physicians are experiencing an increase in patients with toxic mold symptoms. No wonder, it is estimated that mold affects about 25% of the homes in the U.S. Why is the incidence of mold on the rise? We are not entirely certain. However, when you combine building materials like sheetrock with moisture from plumbing leaks, you have a fertile breeding ground for mold. Even without household leaks, contemporary building practices that utilize air-tight construction and energy conservation techniques create a more fertile ground for mold to multiply, since houses such as this do not allow air to readily flow in and out. To make matters worse, modern central heating and air conditioning systems circulate mold spores very efficiently, greatly facilitating their ability to reproduce. Are we creating efficient-modern, toxic buildings? Mold - its hiding places Mold grows best at room temperature, so your house is a perfect place for mold to thrive and mold related allergy and illness to flourish! In your home and basement, a musty smell will let you know that mold has set-up house! Mold can grow on many things, including: tile, grout, wood, paint, plaster, and fabric. Although molds often originate in basements because of the dampness, spores can spread through the rest of your home. Mold spores that are set adrift in your home will find an appropriate place to live and grow, like bathrooms and kitchens which contain adequate food and moisture. Places in your home where mold loves to grow: Air conditioning duct joints that aren’t sealed properly Vinyl wall covering that traps moisture in the drywall Washing machines with no floor drain beneath them Bathrooms that do not have sufficient ventilation Humidifiers that are not cleaned and treated properly Basement walls that are not water proofed from the outside closets Refrigerator drip trays air conditioners garbage pails mattresses foam rubber pillows attics carpets upholstery Types of Mold that Affect Allergies There are only a few different types of molds that cause significant allergy problems in the United States. In general, Alternaria and Cladosporium are the molds most commonly found indoors and outdoors. A list of the molds that are frequently detected includes: 1. Cladosporium - A significant mold allergen, found across the United States. 2. Alternaria - A major allergy-causing mold. Found outdoors. 3. Helminthosporium - Located in warmer southern states and temperate zones. 4. Epicoccum - Similar to Helminthosporium. 5. Penicillium - A common indoor mold often found in musty basements. 6. Aspergillus - A hardy indoor mold that can live in dry conditions. 7. Mucor - An indoor mold and the black mold we see on breads. Symptoms of Toxic Mold Syndrome The mycotoxins produced by toxic mold create environmentally toxic air that affects the body’s myelin, depleting this important substance that covers the nerves. The nerves are thus exposed without protection and fail to function correctly. This affects essential components of the body, including: the immune system, the nervous system, the respiratory system, the skin, and the gastrointestinal system. When toxic mold causes neurological problems, it can be devastating when children are involved, since their brains and other organs are not fully developed. Symptoms of mold poisoning and toxic mold exposure include: memory loss anxiety personality disorders nosebleeds shortness of breath abdominal pain hair loss skin rashes fatigue numbness in extremities headaches mood swings pain in the extremities cough sore throat rectal bleeding tremors fibromyalgia Other symptoms of toxic mold include: destruction of brain tissue, open skin sores, fungal infections, lung diseases such as Aspergilliosis), and chronic sinus problems. How To Protect Against Toxic Mold Knowledge is power, and we do have the power to protect our homes and families against the dangers of toxic mold as long as we take some simple precautions. Here are some proactive measures you can take to protect yourself: Check for water stains - If your present home, or one you are planning to purchase, has ever had a water leak, there is good reason to suspect that mold or black mold may be present. Consider hiring a certified industrial hygienist to test for mold. Measure the humidity in your home - Obtain a humidity sensor and keep track of your household humidity. During the summer when your air conditioning is running, your humidity level should ideally be less than 55%. A level over 55% might indicate leaks in the duct system, or another air conditioner problem. Repair water problems quickly - If you have leaking pipes, water spills, broken gutters, etc., repair these problems without haste. Moreover, make sure to use vent fans in your bathrooms, and keep humidity low by using a dehumidifier. Insurance coverage - Insurance companies usually will not cover toxic mold damage, but the Policy Holders of America is planning to offer insurance for mold and toxic mold. Check them out! FloLogic System - This is a system installed in your home that monitors your water usage. If the system detects water flowing for more than 30 minutes, it shuts the house’s water flow. Managing the exterior of your home - If you have sprinklers, redirect the water flow away from the walls of your home. Try not to landscape with hills if they direct water downward toward your home. Use gutters that direct the flow of water away from your home and keep the gutters free of debris. Air Conditioner Setting – During the summer, set your A/C thermostat to the highest temperature you can bear; a temperature above 77 F would be wise. Setting your thermostat lower could actually cause higher humidity in your home. Why? It lowers the temperature of the materials in your walls, floors, and ceilings. This increases the risk of condensation forming on these components within your home. Ceiling Fans – Using ceiling fans in the summer allows you to tolerate the higher air conditioner settings we discussed above. The fans will make you more comfortable as you lower the risk of condensation forming on the materials in your walls, floors, and ceilings. Windows – Remember those single-pane metal windows that are common in some warmer climates? Water usually condenses on the inside of these windows during the winter. Be careful not to allow this moisture to run off onto materials such as wallboard; remove it on a regular basis. Clean-up Any Mold You find - If you find a patch of mold in your home that is small, less than three feet square, clean it with bleach and water, letting it dry thoroughly. If any larger mold areas are found, contact a toxic mold expert to conduct a professional black mold test. Should You Test Your Home for toxic Mold? Whether or not to conduct toxic mold testing is not an easy question to answer. This is because there are laws that require homeowners to disclose any known environmental issues affecting the quality and safety of the home they are selling. The law does not require homeowners, however, to disclose any “suspected” problems to buyers. Not disclose a known problem is considered fraud! For those who would like an inexpensive and accurate test for mold in their home, go to: Policy Holders of America As you can ascertain at the above web site, Texas Tech University will analyze your mold sample for a nominal fee of $40. Most importantly, they can tell you whether or not there are mycotoxins present in the sample, and to what degree they are present. This is extremely valuable information that can directly affect the health and well-being of your family. It is most imperative to acquire this information before engaging in a costly mold removal effort. Keep in mind, however, that there are more economical mold tests you can perform in your home. ` The following comes from a different source: Mold Basics Guide for New York Landlords and Tenants The following material comes from a website a friend just showed me that looks very solid and useful – check out the RentLaw website for more info. Mold New York Mold Cleanup Mold Basics Search RentLaw.com Mold in New York Housing Before any cleaning work is done the leak has to be stopped which is, of course, the landlord's responsibility. If this fails to get immediate action, follow the steps you would take with any serious repair problem: To report a mold problem in your apartment or common building areas, call the New York City Dept of Health at 311 (or directly to the DOH’s Office of Environmental Investigations at 212-442-3372.) Also report mold and any chronic leaks from pipes, improperly working drains, or roof leaks, to the NYC Dept. Of Housing, Preservation and Development, Central Complaint at 311. See more New York Contact Numbers. You should treat mold as you would any serious repair problem. Write a letter to the landlord describing the problem and the steps you have taken to get the problem fixed. (In other words, if you spoke to the super and showed him the mold, include that in your letter.) Be sure to date the letter, keep a copy and send it to the landlord either by certified mail or with a receipt of mailing. You can include the letter with the rent check if it is close to the time you are paying the rent. Share with the landlord information about mold (see below) so the clean up is properly done. If the landlord fails to act promptly, you can take the landlord to court in an HP Action, file a complaint with the DHCR (complain about reduction in services and ask for a rent reduction – get the forms by calling 718-739-6400 or at www.dhcr.state.ny.us) and/or continue filing complaints by phone with both the city’s housing department and health department. Get advice from Metropolitan Council on Housing or another housing group if you want to take the landlord to court. Take pictures of the mold and the leak condition. If the mold growth was caused by the landlord’s negligence, and has made part of your apartment unusable, or destroyed your personal property you might be able to get an abatement on the rent or money from small claims court for your destroyed belongings. If you hire a mold specialist to inspect your apartment or to do abatement work, keep all the receipts. If you or other household members feel that the mold is affecting your health, seek medical help and keep a record of what the doctor says and any medical bills you have to pay because of the problem. You might be able to get compensated for your expenses by negotiating with the landlord (or suing if that fails). If you think the problem is building-wide and get them involved in as a group to pressure the landlord. Keep in mind that the landlord’s insurance company will want to know about these problems as well. How do I get rid of mold? It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back. Use the search box to find more mold information or a service in your area. Example: Texas Mold Removal or New Jersey Mold The goal of remediation is to remove or clean contaminated materials in a way that prevents the emission of fungi and dust contaminated with fungi from leaving a work area and entering an occupied or non-abatement area, while protecting the health of workers performing the abatement. Portions of this information and advice were collected from the following agencies – contact them for more information or assistance: The New York City Department of Health can provide information about the health effects of mold exposure and information about the safe removal of mold. New York City Department of Health, Office of Environmental Investigations at (212) 442-3372 or the Environmental and Occupational Disease Epidemiology Unit at (212) 788-4290. Copyright © Rentlaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guide™ All Rights Reserved. Search RentLaw.com Career Center Privacy Statement Terms of Use Contact